G7 Summit: Zelensky wants to convince Trump that Russia is on the defensive
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at the G7 Summit this Tuesday (16), hoping to impress American leader Donald Trump with Ukraine's improving situation in the war against Russia, while seeking greater international support.
Zelensky was received by French President Emmanuel Macron, host of the meeting, which takes place from June 15 to 17 in the coastal city of Évian-les-Bains.
Trump arrived in France on Monday (15), excited about the conclusion of a preliminary agreement to end the conflict with Iran, with the formal signing scheduled for Friday (19).
The American leader stated that he would now focus on the conflict in Ukraine, saying that both Zelensky and Russian President Putin had signaled their willingness to reach an agreement:
"We had a very good conversation yesterday with President Zelensky and President Putin, and I think maybe we can do something about it. I really do. I think they're both open to it."
Europe and Ukraine seek to change Trump's mind
European diplomats hope to convince Trump that previous US positions on possible terms of a deal were overly favorable to Moscow, particularly now that drone incursions into Ukraine have put Russia on the defensive.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told journalists on Monday (15) that Ukraine was gaining ground and hitting targets on Russian territory, whose "war economy has never been so fragile."
Zelinsky participated in the first session of the day dedicated to "Building Peace in Ukraine" and was able to speak separately with Trump. He was also expected to meet individually with other G7 leaders.
With negotiations at a standstill, Zelensky is pushing for a new impetus and a greater role for Europe. He said on Monday that he had offered to meet Putin at the G7 Summit, but that Putin was not ready for peace talks.
European leaders should also warn Trump that a shallow interim deal with Iran risks entrenching Tehran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
Macron said the priority was to ensure there is a "solid and serious agreement that is finalized."
He said Tuesday's working lunch would focus on the safe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, including a possible Franco-British-led maritime mission.
G7 to examine navigation problem in Strait of Hormuz
The group will also seek to identify alternative energy routes to bypass the waterway, which Iran has largely closed since shortly after the US and Israeli attack in late February. Trump said the strait would be "completely open" on Friday (19).
Leaders from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Egypt were expected to participate in the negotiations this Tuesday. They were not expected to enter into detailed discussions about Iran's nuclear program but to outline their expectations, diplomats said.
The interim agreement is expected to open a 60-day window for complex technical negotiations, which would include the fate of Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium and the lifting of international sanctions.
However, European allies fear that an inexperienced American negotiating team will be unable to secure a robust nuclear deal or address Iran's ballistic missile program in the next phase, which could create a prolonged standoff.
France, the United Kingdom and Germany want to play a prominent role in the upcoming negotiations, after being marginalized in recent months.
The three countries began discussions over Iran's nuclear program in 2003 and subsequently worked with then-US President Barack Obama to secure a deal in 2015 in exchange for sanctions relief.
Trump despises this agreement, from which the US withdrew during his first term.
Source: CNN